The nationally accredited W. Paul Cole, Jr. School of Business at Bluefield State College offers a variety of high quality, career-focused programs. Students in the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program must complete 120 credit hours, including the General Studies curriculum required of all BSC students, the Business Core component, an 18 hour major and a 12 hour minor. Areas from which a major may be selected include Accounting, Management, and Marketing, while the minor may be chosen from among Accounting, Health Services Management, Information Systems, Management, or Marketing. Courses comprising the baccalaureate Business Administration degree program are available in traditional classroom settings, online, and through video livestreaming.

The 120 credit hour Bachelor of Science in Accountancy program is designed for those students seeking an intensive examination of accounting theory and practice, and provides students with all of the courses required to be eligible to take the CPA exam. (Students planning to sit for the West Virginia Certified Public Accountant examination must complete a total of 150 hours of undergraduate- or graduate-level study.) Please note that students majoring in Accounting as part of the B.S. Business Administration program must successfully complete Business Law for Professional Accountants (BUSN 302) and Auditing Principles (ACCT 431), and either Advanced Auditing (ACCT 432) or Accounting Information Systems (ACCT 424) among their 300/400 level accounting electives in order to satisfy the CPA examination requirements.

The 120 credit hour B.S. in Health Services Management program combines specialized health services-related classes with foundational business courses to prepare students to enter into or advance within the field of health services administration. Students in this program must take 30 hours of Health Services Management coursework, which includes a 150-hour summer internship between the junior and senior years. HSMT students must also complete the College’s General Studies requirements and the Business Core courses.

For both the B.S. Business Administration and B.S. Accountancy programs, students are required to take a major field test in business prior to graduating.

The W. Paul Cole, The W. Paul Cole, Jr. School of Business received national accreditation of its Business Administration and Accountancy programs on July 1, 2001, by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), 11520 West 119th Street, Suite 420, Overland Park, Kansas 66213, telephone (913) 339-9356. Accreditation of both programs was reaffirmed in 2011 and the next ACBSP site visit is scheduled for 2020. The faculty and staff of the W. Paul Cole, Jr. School of Business are extremely proud to offer the only nationally accredited business programs in the area.

Mission Statement for The W. Paul Cole, Jr. School of Business

The W. Paul Cole, Jr. School of Business is dedicated to preparing students to succeed in an ever-changing business environment. We will provide the knowledge and technical skills required today, while developing critical thinking and adaptation capabilities needed for the future. We seek to continuously improve our practices, methods, and delivery systems utilized in accomplishing this mission.

Vision Statement for The W. Paul Cole, Jr. School of Business

The vision of the BSC W. Paul Cole, Jr. School of Business is to become the preeminent teaching-focused business school in southern West Virginia, offering high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs in various high-demand fields of study.

Message from the Dean

Dear Student,

For decades the nationally accredited W. Paul Cole, Jr. School of Business at Bluefield State College has provided high-quality, career-centered business programs to citizens within our region. The School of Business faculty and staff commend you for taking advantage of the tremendous educational opportunities that await you.

I extend a warm welcome to both new and returning students. Always remember that the School of Business faculty and staff are fully committed to assisting you in any way possible. Please do not hesitate to ask for any assistance you might need. We are here to help educate you and to guide you so that you can attain your personal and professional goals.

As a School of Business student, you can benefit greatly from the variety of career-focused degree programs we offer. We provide experienced, dedicated and highly-credentialed faculty, personalized academic advising and cutting edge technology. We also offer a warm, student-centered environment that you simply don’t find on most college campuses. While you are here, make the most of the opportunities afforded you. Meet other students. Get involved in campus life. Visit with the faculty and seek their counsel. Challenge yourself to do more than you ever thought possible. Above all else, make a difference - now and in the future.

Best Regards,

Dr. John Snead, Interim DeanW. Paul Cole, Jr. School of BusinessBluefield State College